Mortimer Enters Not Guilty Plea

In what comes as no surprise, Thomas Mortimer IV entered a not guilty plea while his attorney, Denise Reagen, indicated she may use insanity as a defense.

Thomas left the bloodied bodies of his four victims – his wife, two young children and his mother-in-law – and written confessions in his house prior to fleeing the Winchester area.

He was arraigned before Judge James Barretto on four counts of murder in the Woburn District Court.

Despite the protest of Assistant District Attorney Adrienne Lynch, Judge Barretto ordered Thomas to undergo a mental health evaluation as requested by Denise Regan who said mental health my be a likely issue in this case.

Lynch argued that the defense was attempting to put a thumb down on the scales of justice by gaining an early glimpse into Mortimer’s mental status, something that would not be available to the prosecution for months.

Thomas Mortimer III and his wife Sandra looked on at their son’s arraignment.

“He is a good kid,” the elder Mortimer told reporters after the brief court hearing. Asked by a reporter if he was shocked by the allegations against his son and the four deaths, he replied, “who wouldn’t be.”

“He’s always been the nicest son and the nicest person,” Sandra Mortimer said in a composed voice. “And that’s all I’m going to say.”

Mortimer left two notes at the crime scene claiming responsibility and police have further pieced together some of what occurred on Tuesday.

Laura and Thomas apparently fought on the phone Monday while at work and the fight continued when they returned home. Police have never been called to the home for a domestic disturbance.

Debra Stone, Laura’s sister and Ellen’s other daughter spoke to both of them Monday evening, but could not reach them early Tuesday morning. When she called later in the day, Thomas answered and said it would be a while before Laura could call her back.

The same morning, Mortimer called in sick to his work and also called Finn’s preschool to say he wasn’t attending that day.